Science Letters

Intracranial epidermoid cyst: characteristics, appearance, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

M. Pradeep Reddy, Song Jiacheng, Hong Xunning, Ma Zhanlong*

Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing. PR. China

Abstract

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are uncommon congenital inclusion cysts. Cerebellopontine angle is the most common location that harbors the intracranial epidermoid cyst; however, they are also found in other parts of the brain. These have a characteristic hallmarking radiological feature and well defined hypoattenuated mass resembling cerebro-spinal fluid on computed tomography. T1weighted image shows the lesion as low signal, and T2 weighted image shows high signal, whereas diffusion weighted image shows restricted diffusion leading to hyperintensity of the lesion. We present a unique review compiling the data from the literature that includes the history, characteristics of benign and malignant epidermoid cyst, typical and atypical appearances, very near differential diagnosis, followed by treatment and prognosis at one place.

Keywords: Diagnosis, hypoattenuated mass, intracranial epidermoid cyst, treatment and prognosis.

Received April 14, 2015 Revised June 16, 2015 Published online first June 20, 2015

*Corresponding author: Zhanlong Ma Email: mazhanlong@126.com